INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE THE PEACE PALACE THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS

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1634 INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE THE PEACE PALACE THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS QUESTIONS RELATING TO CULTURAL PROPERTY AND THE PROTECTION OF ELEPHANTS THE FEDERAL STATES OF ALIYA (APPLICANT) v. THE REPUBLIC OF RINCOSSI (RESPONDENT) ------------------------------------------- MEMORIAL FOR THE APPLICANT ------------------------------------------- 2015

PRELIMINARY PAGES TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX OF AUTHORITIES... iv STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION... xiv QUESTIONS PRESENTED...xv STATEMENT OF FACTS... xviii SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS... xviiii I. RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY FAILING TO ARREST OR PROSECUTE CUSI AND THE TWENTY MEMBERS OF BARNUM FOR ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY.... 1 A. TEXTUAL AND TELEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF UNTOC, UNCAC, CITES, CBD AND OTHER RELEVANT CONVENTIONS OBLIGATE RINCOSSI TO ARREST OR PROSECUTE.... 1 1. Rincossi breached its obligation to arrest or prosecute under UNTOC and UNCAC which follow the Hague Formula.... 2 a. UNTOC applies to the twenty members of Barnum... 2 i. Illegal trafficking of Thornon elephant ivory is a serious crime.... 2 ii. The offense committed by the twenty Barnum members is transnational in nature.... 2 iii. The twenty Barnum members constitute an organized criminal group.... 3 b. UNCAC applies to Cusi as she abused her function.... 4 c. Following the Hague Formula, the object and purpose of UNTOC and UNCAC impose a legally binding obligation upon Rincossi to arrest or prosecute regardless of an extradition request... 4 2. Rincossi is obligated to penalize traffickers under CITES and not just to confiscate the proceeds of crime.... 5 3. Rincossi is obligated to conserve biodiversity under CITES and CBD by arresting or prosecuting offenders... 6 4. In any case, Rincossi cannot invoke its internal law as justification for its failure to perform its treaty obligations under UNTOC, UNCAC, CITES and CBD.... 7 B. RINCOSSI VIOLATED CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW.... 8 1. Prosecution of wildlife offenses is an erga omnes inter partes norm.... 8 i

PRELIMINARY PAGES a. Acts of International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and of States evince state practice.... 8 b. The adoption of UN General Assembly (G.A.) Resolutions, multilateral conventions and bilateral treaties against illicit trafficking of wildlife evince opinio juris.... 9 2. In any case, Rincossi s refusal to arrest or prosecute offenses that affect keystone species is a violation of its erga omnes duty to protect and preserve the environment.... 10 3. Rincossi violated the Principle of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Use.... 10 II. RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY REFUSING TO RETURN THE CONFISCATED THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY... 12 A. THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY IS ALIYA S CULTURAL PROPERTY.... 13 1. Thornon elephant ivory is cultural property under the UNESCO 1970... 13 a. Aliya has the authority to determine what it considers cultural property... 13 i. Aliya has declared the Thornon elephant ivory as cultural property and therefore passed the first requirement under UNESCO 1970.... 14 ii. Thornon elephant ivory is covered by Art. 1(a) of UNESCO 1970 on rare collections of specimens of fauna and their anatomy.... 15 b. Even without the express inclusion of anatomy in UNESCO 1970 Art. 1(a), ivory must still be considered cultural property.... 16 B. RINCOSSI IS OBLIGATED TO REPATRIATE THE CONFISCATED THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY.... 17 1. Rincossi is obligated by UNESCO 1970 to repatriate cultural property.... 18 a. Rincossi is obligated to repatriate the cultural property under the Cultural Nationalism Regime... 18 b. Under the same regime, Aliya has the right of replevin over the ivory.... 18 c. In any case, the Cultural Internationalism Regime does not justify Rincossi s refusal to repatriate the confiscated ivory.... 19 2. Rincossi is obligated under CITES, UNTOC and UNCAC to return the confiscated Thornon elephant ivory to Aliya.... 20 ii

PRELIMINARY PAGES a. The discretion granted to Rincossi by CITES on the disposal of specimens of illegally-traded species must yield to the mandate of UNESCO 1970.... 20 b. The discretion granted to Rincossi by UNTOC and UNCAC regarding the disposal of proceeds of crime must yield to the mandate of UNESCO 1970.... 22 3. Repatriation of cultural property has become customary international law, obligating Rincossi to repatriate the Thornon elephant ivory to Aliya... 22 a. State practice shows general acceptance of states.... 22 b. UN G.A. Resolutions are reflective of opinio juris.... 25 CONCLUSION AND PRAYER...25 iii

PRELIMINARY PAGES INDEX OF AUTHORITIES TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Sept. 15, 1968, 1001 U.N.T.S. 4 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Jan. 29, 2000, 2226 U.N.T.S. 208 11 11 Convention on Biological Diversity, June 5, 1992, 1760 U.N.T.S. 79 11 Convention on The Means of Prohibiting and Preventing The Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, Nov. 14, 1970, 823 U.N.T.S. 231 Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, March 3, 1973, 993 U.N.T.S. 3 United Nations Convention against Corruption, October 31, 2003, 2349 U.N.T.S. 41 United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crimes, Nov. 15, 2000, 2225 U.N.T.S. 209 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, May 23, 1969, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331. 11, 13, 14, 16, 23 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21 4, 19, 20, 21 2, 3, 7, 19, 20, 21 1, 15 U.N. DOCUMENTS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS CITES Resolution Conference 9.10 (Rev. CoP13) 20 CITES, Status of Legislative Progress for Implementing CITES (2013) 8 Explaining Resolution Conf. 9.10 (Rev. CoP13) Disposal of illegally traded, confiscated and accumulated specimens, CITES World: Official Newsletter of Parties, Issue 16 (2005) Final Report of the International Law Commission ( ILC ) on The Obligation to Extradite or Prosecute (aut dedere aut judicare) [Yearbook of the International Law Commission, 2014, Vol. II (Part Two) (hereinafter 2014 Final Report )] Fourth Report on the Obligation to Extradite or Prosecute (aut dedere aut judicare), U.N. Doc. A/CN.4/648, 63 rd Sess. (31 May 2011) 20 1, 5 5 iv

PRELIMINARY PAGES G.A. Res. 1483, 4761 st Meeting of UNSC (22 May 2003) Human Rights And Scientific And Technological Developments, UN G.A. Res. 3026 A (XXVII), 27 th Sess., (18 December 1982) ICCWC, Strategic Plan 2014-2016 (2014) 8 International Union for Conservation of Nature, Strategy for the Conservation of West African Elephants (2005) Letter of Understanding, Establishing the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, CITES (2010) Preservation and Further Development of Cultural Values, G.A. Res. 3148 XXVIII, 28 th Sess. (14 December 1973) Preservation and Further Development of Cultural Values, including the Protection, Restitution and Return of Cultural and Artistic Property, G.A. Res. 35/127 35 th Sess. (11 December 1980) Protection and Restitution of Works of Art as Part of the Preservation and Further Development of Cultural Values, G.A. Res 31/40, 31 st Sess. (30 November 1976) Protection, Restitution and Return of Cultural and Artistic Property as Part of the Preservation and Further Development of Cultural Values, G.A. Res. 33/50, 33 rd Sess. (14 December 1978) Restitution of Works of Art to Countries Victims of Expropriation, G.A. Res. 3187 XXVIII, 28 th Sess. (18 December 1973) Restitution of Works of Art to Countries Victims of Expropriation, G.A. Res. 32/18, 32 nd Sess. (11 November 1977) Restitution of Works of Arts to Countries Victims of Expropriation, G.A. Res. 3391 XXX, 30 th Sess. (19 November 1975) Return or Restitution of Cultural and Artistic Property in its Countries of Origin, G.A. Res. 35/128, 35 th Sess. (11 December 1980) Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin, G.A. Res. 34/64, 34 th Sess. (29 November 1979) Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin, G.A. Res. 36/64, 36 th Sess. (27 November 1981) 6 8 v

PRELIMINARY PAGES Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin, G.A. Res. 38/34, 38 th Sess. (25 November 1983) Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin, G.A. Res. 40/19, 40 th Sess. (21 November 1985) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 42/7, 42 nd Sess. (22 October 1987) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 44/18, 44 th Sess. (9 November 1989) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 46/10, 46 th Sess. (22 October 1991) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 48/15, 48 th Sess. (2 November 1993) Return to restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 50/56, 50 th Sess. (11 December 1995) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 52/, 52 nd Sess. (25 November 1997) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 54/190, 54 th Sess. (17 December 1999) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 56/97, 56 th Sess. (14 December 2001) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin G.A. Res. 58/17, 58 th Sess. (3 December 2003) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 61/52, 61 st Sess. (4 December 2006) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. 64/78, 64 th Sess. (7 December 2009) Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin, G.A. Res. A.67/L.34., 67 th Sess. (5 December 2012) Rio Declaration, A/CONF.151/26 Vol. I (1992) 10 Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly, Summary Record of the 26 th Meeting, U.N. Doc. A/C.6/66/SR.26 66 th Sess. (Dec. 7, 2011) 1 vi

PRELIMINARY PAGES Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly, Summary Record of the 27 th Meeting U.N. Doc. A/C.6/66/SR.27, 66 th Sess. (Dec. 8, 2011) 1 Stockholm Declaration, A/CONF.48/14/Rev.1 (1972) 2 Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, G.A. Res. 67/189, U.N. Doc. A/Res/67/189, 67 th Sess. (20 December 2012) Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, G.A. Res. 68/193, U.N. Doc. A/Res/68/193. 68 th Sess. (18 December 2013) Survey of multilateral conventions which may be of relevance for the work of the International Law Commission on the topic The obligation to extradite or prosecute (aut dedere aut judicare), U.N. Doc. A/CN.4/630, 62 nd Sess. (June 10, 2010) Tackling Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife, U.N. Doc. No. A/RES/69/314, 69 th Sess. (July 30, 2015) The obligation to extradite or prosecute (aut dedere aut judicare) Comments and information received from Governments, U.N. Doc. A/CN.4/612, 61 st Sess. (March 26, 2009) 9 9 4, 5 1, 9 1 JUDICIAL DECISIONS International Cases and Arbitral Decisions Case Concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. U.S.), 1986 I.C.J. Reports 9, 23 Gabcikovo-Nagymaros (Hung. v. Slovk.), 1997 I.C.J. 2, 9, 10 Interpretation of Peace Treaties with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, Advisory Opinion, 1950 I.C.J. Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion, 1996 I.C.J. Questions Relating to the Obligation to Prosecute or Extradite (Belgium v. Senegal), 2012 I.C.J. 2 2, 9, 10, 25 1, 5 North Sea Continental Shelf (Ger. v. Den.; Ger. v. Neth.), 1969 I.C.J. 3. 8, 10 vii

PRELIMINARY PAGES National Case Law Attorney General of New Zealand v Ortiz [1984] AC 1; [1984] 2 WLR 809; [1983] 2 All ER 93; [1983] 2 Lloyd's Rep 265 Autocephalous Greek-Orthodox Church of Cyprus v. Goldberg & Feldman Fine Arts, Inc. United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Division, No. 89-289, Oct., 1990 Brokaw v Seatrain UK Ltd. [1971] 2 Q.B. 476; [1971] 2 W.L.R. 791; [1971] 2 All E.R. 98 19 18 19 Don Alonso v Cornero (1611) Hob. 212; 2 Brownl. 29 19 King of Italy v Marquis Cosimo de Medici Tornaquinci (1918) 34 T.L.R. 623 19 Princess Paley Olga v Weisz [1929] 1 K.B. 718, C.A 19 BOOKS AUST, HANDBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (2010) 2, 15, 16 BEYERLIN AND MARAUHN, INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (2011) BODANSKY, ET AL., THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (2010). 10, 11 10 BOSCH, VOTES IN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1998) 9 BOYLE & CHINKIN, THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (2007) 9 BOYLE & FREESTONE, INTERNATIONAL LAW AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES (1999) BUIJIS, ET AL., SHARING KNOWLEDGE & CULTURAL HERITAGE: FIRST NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS (2010) CRAWFORD, BROWNLIE S PRINCIPES OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2008) 10 22 15, 16, 23 CRAWFORD, THE LAW OF INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010) 20 DEGAN, SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW (1997) 23 viii

PRELIMINARY PAGES DORAN, ELEPHANT: THE ANIMAL AND ITS IVORY IN AFRICAN CULTURE (1992) 6 FENWICK, INTERNATIONAL LAW (1952) 2 HOFFMAN, ART AND HERITAGE: LAW, POLICY AND PRACTICE (2006) 23 HOHMANN, BASIC DOCUMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (1992) 2 MALANCZUK, AKEHURST S MODERN INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL LAW (1997) MERRILL, ET AL., THE RETURN OF THE AHAYU:DA: LESSONS FOR REPATRIATION FROM ZUNI PUEBLO AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (1993) MERRYMAN, THINKING ABOUT THE ELGIN MARBLES: CRITICAL ESSAYS ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, ART AND LAW 99 (2009) SANDS & PEEL, PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (2012) 22, 23 22 17 8 SHAW, PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2008) 8, 9, 19 WALKER, IVORY S GHOSTS: THE WHITE GOLD OF HISTORY AND THE FATE OF ELEPHANTS (2010) WEERAMANTRY, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE UNDER INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEESHIP (1992) WEISS, IN FAIRNESS TO FUTURE GENERATIONS: INTERNATIONAL LAW, COMMON PATRIMONY AND INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY (1989) WILLIAMS, THE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PROTECION OF MOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY, (1978) 16 10 9 14 ESSAYS, ARTICLES AND JOURNALS Arthur, Poaching Cultural Property: Invoking Cultural Property Law to Protect Elephants, Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy (2014) at 231 253 6, 15 Bator, An Essay on the International Trade in Art, 34 Stan. L. Rev. 275 (1982) 12 ix

PRELIMINARY PAGES Campos-Arceiz & Blake, Megagardeners of the Forest The Role of Elephants in Seed Dispersal 37 ACTA OECOLOGICA 550 (2011) Chimento, Comment: Lost Artifacts of the Incas: Cultural Property and the Repatriation Movement, 54 Loy. L. Rev. 209 (2008) Cohan, An Examination of Archaelogical Ethics and the Repatriation Movement Respecting Culural Property (Part Two), 28 Environs Envt l. L. & Pol y J. 1 (2004) Detling, Eternal Silence: The Destruction of Cultural Property in Yugoslavia, 17 Md. J. Int l L. 41 (1993) Fisher, Repatriation Issues in First Nations Heritage Collections, Journal of Integrated Studies, Vol.1, No.3 (2012) Ghoshray, Essay: Repatriation of the Kohinoor Diamond: Expanding the Legal Paradigm for Cultural Heritage, 31 Fordham Int l L.J. 741 (2008) Glennon, Has International Law Failed the Elephant?, 84 Am. J. Int l L. 1 (1990) Graham, Protection and Reversion and Cultural Property: Issues of Definition and Justification, 21 Int l Law 755 (1987) Hutchens, The Law Never Forgets: An Analysis of the Elephant Poaching Crisis, Failed Policies, and Potential Solutions, 31 Wis. Int l L. J. 934 (2014) Jowers, Comment: International and National Legal Efforts to Protect Cultural Property: The 1970 UNESCO Convention, The United States, and Mexico, 38 Tex. Int l L. J. 145 (2003) Knox, Note: They ve Lost Their Marbles: 2002 Universal Museum s Declaration, The Elgin Marbles and The Future of The Repatriation Movement, 29 Suffolk Transnat l L. Rev. 315 (2006) Lobo, The Fabric of Life: Repatriating the sacred Coroma textiles, Cultural Survival Quarterly (1991) 6 13, 18 13, 23 13 22 16 5 11, 19 16 18 19 22 Lowe, Sustainable Development and Unsustainable Arguments (1999) 10 Lowther and Cook, World Wide Fund for Nature Traffic Report, University of Wolverhampton (2002) 6 Magraw and Hawke, Sustainable Development (2010) 10 x

PRELIMINARY PAGES Marong, From Rio to Johannesburg: Reflections on the Role of International Legal Norms in Sustainable Development, 16 Geo. Int'l Envtl. L. Rev. 21 (2003) Mastalir, A Proposal for Protecting the Cultural and Property Aspects of Cultural Property Under International Law, 16 Fordham Int l L.J. 1033 (1993) Merryman, The Public Interest in Cultural Property, 77 Calif. L. Rev. 339 (1989) Merryman, Two Ways Of Thinking About Cultural Property, The American Journal Of International Law, Vol. 80, No. 4, 831-53 (1986) Nafziger, SYMPOSIUM: ANTIQUITIES LAW: The Principles for Cooperation in the Mutual Protection and Transfer of Cultural Material, 8 Chi. J. Int l L. 147 (2007) Prott, The International Movement of Cultural Objects, International Journal of Cultural Property 225-8 (2005) Riding, REPATRIATION SYMPOSIUM: Introduction: Human Rights and the American Indian Movement: A Manifesto, 44 Ariz. St. L.J. 613 (2012) Rosen, What Is It About Elephant Tusks That Make Them so Valuable?, THE ATLANTIC, September 6, 2012 Shelton, Common Concern of Humanity, The George Washington University Law School 33-40(2009) Van Couvering, Proboscideans, Hominids, and Prehistory, in ELEPHANT THE ANIMAL AND ITS IVORY IN AFRICAN CULTURE (1992) Verhoeven, The Law of Responsibility and the Law of Treaties in THE LAW OF INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2010) Walker, Rethinking Ivory: Why Trade Tusks Won t Go Away, World Policy Journal, Volume XXX, No. 2 (2009) Warring, Underground Debates: The Fundamental Differences of Opinion to Thwart UNESCO S Progress in Fighting the Illicit Trade in Cultural Property, 19 Emory Int l L. Rev. 227 (2005) Weiss, The Planetary Trust: Conservation and Intergenerational Equity, (1984) 11 Ecology L.Q. 495 10 12, 13, 17, 18 13, 17 12, 18, 19, 20 12 12 12 16 10 6 20 16 13, 17 9 xi

PRELIMINARY PAGES Western, The Ecological Role of Elephants in Africa, 12 PACHYDERM 42-43 (1989) 6 MISCELLANEOUS Agarunov, Emil, The Art of Currency: Unique Notes from Around the World, http://design.tutsplus.com/articles/the-art-of-currency-unique-notes-fromaround-the-world--psd-11311 (2010) (last visited: Oct. 31, 2015) Bradford, Paul, Knocked-Off Kneeling Statues Repatriated, Portable Antiquity and Heritage Issues, http://paulbarford.blogspot.com/2013/06/knocked-off-kneeling-statuesrepatriated.html. (last visited Nov.6, 2015) Bolivia Caravan Celebrates Return of God of Prosperity, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-29874/bolivia-caravancelebrates-return-god-prosperity.html (last visited: Nov. 6, 2015) Charter of Courmayeur, June 25-27, 1992, http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/multimedia/hq/clt/pdf/charte r_courmayeur_en.pdf (last visited: November 1, 2015) Indigenous Repatriation, http://arts.gov.au/indigenous/repatriation, (last visited Nov. 7, 2015) Interpol Overview, http://www.interpol.int/about-interpol/overview (last visited Oct. 31, 2015) List of Parties in CITES, https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/index.php (last visited Nov. 2, 2015) Maori Chief s Mummified Head to Return to New Zealand After 150 Years in UK, http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/aug/06/maori-chief-headreturned-new-zealand, (last visited: Nov. 6, 2015) 14 23 22 12 22 8 8 22 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Section 7 22 Reinl, James, Anti-poaching drones to take off in Africa, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/01/20131171354222982 09.htm (2013) (last visited: Nov. 2, 2015) Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its 69 th session, http://research.un.org/en/docs/ga/quick/regular/69 (last visited Nov.4, 2015) 16 9 xii

PRELIMINARY PAGES Return of the First Paracas Textiles from Gothenburg, http://www.peruviantimes.com/17/return-of-the-first-paracas-textilesfrom-gothenburg/22328 (last visited Nov.7, 2015) Sending Artworks Home, but to Whom? http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/04/arts/design/denver-museum-toreturn-totems-to-kenyan-museum.html (last visited Nov.6, 2015) Swedish Returns Ancient Andean Textiles to Peru, http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/sweden-returns-ancientandean-textiles-to-peru/?_r=0 (last visited Nov. 6, 2015) The World Bank Member Countries, http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/leadership/members (last visited Nov. 3, 2015) Toledo Museum of Art to Return Scientific Instrument to Germany http://www.toledomuseum.org/provenance/astronomical-compendium-orastrolabium-astrolabe/, (last visited: Nov. 3, 2015) Tsavo Media Canada, Inc., Introduction to Flags, http://www.worldflags101.com/ (last visited: Oct. 31, 2015.) Two Returned Bronze Zodiac Heads Officially Unveiled at Chinese Museum http://www.theheritagist.com/2013/07/two-returned-bronze-zodiacheads.html (last visited Nov.6, 2015) UNESCO 1970 State Parties, http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-ofcultural-property/1970-convention/states-parties/, (last visited: Nov. 5, 2015.) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/wildlife-and-forest-crime/iccwc.html (last visited Nov. 1, 2015) Viriyo, Aggarin, Principle of Sustainable Development in International Environmental Law (2012), available at http://www.ecolex.org/server2neu.php/libcat/restricted/li/mon- 086900.pdf War Victory Monument Returned to North Korea, http://www1.koreanp.co.jp/pk/227th_issue/2006033106.htm (last visited Nov. 4, 2015) World Customs Organization, http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/wcomembers/~/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about%20us/wco%20mem bers/list%20of%20members%20with%20membership%20date.ashx (last visited Nov. 1, 2015) 23 23 22 8 22 14 23 20, 22 8 10 22 8 xiii

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PRELIMINARY PAGES STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION The Federal States of Aliya ( Aliya ) and the Republic of Rincossi ( Rincossi ) have submitted by Special Agreement their differences concerning questions relating to cultural property and the protection of elephants, and transmitted a copy thereof to the Registrar of the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ). The Registrar acknowledged receipt of the notification of the Parties regarding this matter. Therefore, Aliya and Rincossi have accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ pursuant to Article 36(1) of the Statute. xv

PRELIMINARY PAGES QUESTIONS PRESENTED I. WHETHER RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY FAILING TO ARREST OR PROSECUTE AMBASSADOR CUSI AND THE TWENTY MEMBERS OF BARNUM URITOVSKY FOR TRAFFICKING ILLEGAL THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY. II. WHETHER RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY REFUSING TO RETURN THE CONFISCATED THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY TO ALIYA. xvi

PRELIMINARY PAGES STATEMENT OF FACTS Aliya and Rincossi are developing coastal nations on two different continents, separated by Bomud Ocean. Aliya is in Thorno while Rincossi is in Rabab. Aliya s economy hinges primarily on mining, agriculture and ecotourism, while Rincossi s is based on manufacturing and consumerism. The Thornon elephant is indigenous to Thorno and plays a significant role in Aliyan culture. It is the national animal of Aliya, is featured prominently on its national flag and currency and, as keystone species, is considered ecologically important to Aliya. In 1990, Aliya declared Thornon elephants and their parts and derivatives to be of historical and scientific importance. Thornon elephant is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and under Annex I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ). Due to hunting and illegal poaching, their population dropped by 90% from 1940 to May 2015. Of the 300,000 remaining Thornon elephants, 10,000 live in Aliya. Both Aliya and Rincossi are memebers of the UN and parties to the CITES, CBD, CMS, UNTOC, UNCAC, UNESCO 1970, VCLT, among others. Both states had also actively participated in various conferences affecting the environment in Stockholm, Rio, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and in Doha on crime prevention and justice. Ivory trade is illegal in Aliya, but a black market for ivory exists in Rincossi as primary destination. In July 2014, Rincossi officials discovered that Ambassador Pam Cusi ( Cusi ) transported 25kg of illegal ivory from Aliya. Security video showed that despite warning from a poacher that the act is illegal, she persisted, remarking that her diplomatic immunity will shield her from prosecution. xvii

PRELIMINARY PAGES Investigation revealed that Cusi s act had been part of a larger criminal operation that transported illegal ivory between both countries involving members of Barnum Uritovsky ( Barnum ), a group which runs a large international transport business. For the last three years, twenty members of Barnum have been actively involved in trafficking illegal ivory from Aliya. Approximately 1,500kg of Thornon elephant ivory were confiscated by Rincossi officials after raiding several Barnum transport containers, all matching the DNA signature of the Thornon elephant living in Aliya s National Park. Barnum members were briefly detained and questioned, but no arrests were made. Aliya requested for the arrest and prosecution of Cusi and the twenty Barnum members, but Rincossi refused, claiming that issuance of warning and monitoring of the group s activities suffice. Aliya requested for the return of all the confiscated ivory, which it considers cultural property but Rincossi refused, disputing its being cultural property. Rincossi plans to publicly destroy the ivory. adjudication. Failing to resolve the disputes, both states agreed to submit the matter to the ICJ for SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS xviii

PRELIMINARY PAGES By failing to arrest or prosecute Cusi and the twenty members of Barnum, Rincossi breached its obligations to arrest or prosecute under United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime ( UNTOC ) and United Nations Convention Against Corruption ( UNCAC ); to penalize traffickers under CITES; and to conserve biodiversity under CITES and Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ). In any case, Rincossi cannot invoke its internal law as justification for its failure to perform its treaty obligations. Further, Rincossi violated an erga omnes inter partes norm to prosecute wildlife offenses. In any event, its refusal to arrest or prosecute offenses that affect keystone species is a violation of its erga omnes duty to protect and preserve the environment and of the Principles of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Use. Thornon elephant ivory is Aliya s cultural property under the UNESCO Convention on The Means of Prohibiting and Preventing The Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property ( UNESCO 1970 ). Hence, Rincossi is obligated to repatriate the ivory. The discretion granted by CITES, UNTOC and UNCAC regarding the disposal of the ivory as specimens of illegally-traded species and as proceeds of crime must yield to the mandate of UNESCO 1970. Lastly, the repatriation of cultural property has become customary international law. xix

ARGUMENTS I. RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY FAILING TO ARREST OR PROSECUTE CUSI AND THE TWENTY MEMBERS OF BARNUM FOR ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY. Cooperation among states to combat criminal impunity is expressed in relevant international instruments. 1 As widely shared by States, 2 such cooperation is shown in the obligation to arrest and prosecute, 3 because strengthening the investigation and prosecution of illegal trade in wildlife is viewed as effective means of combating such criminal activity. 4 Aliya will establish that Rincossi s failure to arrest or prosecute Cusi and the twenty members of Barnum constitutes a breach of its treaty obligations [A] and a violation of customary international law [B]. A. TEXTUAL AND TELEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF UNTOC, UNCAC, CITES, CBD AND OTHER RELEVANT CONVENTIONS OBLIGATE RINCOSSI TO ARREST OR PROSECUTE. Treaties are binding upon parties and demand performance in good faith. 5 1 Questions Relating to the Obligation to Prosecute or Extradite (Belgium v. Senegal), I.C.J. Reports (2012) 120. 2 Belgium (A/CN.4/612, 33); Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (A/C.6/66/SR. 26, 10); Switzerland (ibid., 18); El Salvador (ibid., ), Italy (ibid., 42); Peru (ibid., 64); Belarus A/C.6/66/SR. 27, 41; Russian Federation (ibid., 64); and India (ibid., 81); see 2014 Final Report of the International Law Commission ( ILC ) on The Obligation to Extradite or Prosecute (aut dedere aut judicare) [Yearbook of the International Law Commission, 2014, Vol. II (Part Two) (hereinafter 2014 Final Report )]. 3 Supra note 1, 50, 68, 74-75. 4 Tackling Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife, U.N. Res. No. A/RES/69/314 (30 July 2015), 3. 5 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Art. 26, May 23, 1969, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331. 1

Pacta sunt servanda obligates parties to perform treaty obligations in a reasonable way and in such a reasonable manner that its purpose can be realized, 6 otherwise, state responsibility arises. 7 1. Rincossi breached its obligation to arrest or prosecute under UNTOC and UNCAC which follow the Hague Formula. a. UNTOC applies to the twenty members of Barnum UNTOC applies to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of serious crime that is transnational and committed by an organized criminal group. 8 i. Illegal trafficking of Thornon elephant ivory is a serious crime. A serious crime is an offense punishable by a maximum deprivation of liberty of at least four years or a more serious penalty. 9 Rincossi s and Aliya s legislations punish illegal ivory trade and violations of CITES with penalties of eight years 10 and ten years 11 of imprisonment, respectively. ii. The offense committed by the twenty Barnum members is transnational in nature. 6 Advisory Opinion concerning Legality of the Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons ( Nuclear Weapons Case ), I.C.J. Reports (1996) 1-2, 29; Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project Case, I.C.J. Reports (1997) 41, 53; See Stockholm Declaration, Principle 21 (1972); HOHMANN, BASIC DOCUMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW 26 (1992); See also FENWICK, INTERNATIONAL LAW 301 (1952); See also AUST, HANDBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW 317 (2010). 7 See Interpretation of Peace Treaties with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. 221 (1950). 8 See UNTOC, Art. 3(1). 9 UNTOC, Art. 2(b). 10 Record, 21. 11 Record, 17; Clarifications, A8. 2

An offense is transnational if committed in more than one state; in one state but a substantial part of its preparation, planning, direction, or control takes place in another; in one state but involves an organized criminal group that engages in criminal activities in more than one state; or in one state but has substantial effects in another state. 12 The illegal trafficking of Thornon elephant ivory was committed in Aliya and Rincossi for failure to secure an import permit from Rincossi and an export permit from Aliya. 13 It was committed in Aliya by an organized criminal group engaged in criminal activities in Rincossi. 14 The crime has substantial effects in Aliya as it involves Thornon elephant ivory which forms part of Aliya s culture and considered an endangered species. iii. The twenty Barnum members constitute an organized criminal group. An organized criminal group means a structured group of three or more persons, existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious crimes or offenses established in accordance with UNTOC, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit. 15 The illegal trafficking of Thornon elephant ivory by the twenty Barnum members had been actively done for three years. 16 Barnum runs a large international transport business and the 12 UNTOC, Art. 3(2). 13 See CITES, Art. III(2) and III(3). 14 Record, 25. 15 UNTOC, Art. 2(a). 16 Record,, 26. 3

members are politically well-connected. 17 No other purpose could be inferred from the offense but to obtain, directly or indirectly, financial or other material benefit. A structured group means a group that is not randomly formed for the immediate commission of an offense. 18 The nature and scale of the offense of illegal trafficking involving the Thornon ivory and the length of time trafficking had been going on negate random formation or organization for the immediate commission of an offense. b. UNCAC applies to Cusi as she abused her function. Committing an offense to obtain undue advantage for one s self or for another is an abuse of function which states parties, including Aliya and Rincossi, have declared as an act of corruption. 19 Cusi illegally purchased Thornon elephant ivory and used her diplomatic immunity to evade authorities. 20 c. Following the Hague Formula, the object and purpose of UNTOC and UNCAC impose a legally binding obligation upon Rincossi to arrest or prosecute regardless of an extradition request. The general trend of more recent conventions containing the obligation to prosecute follows the Hague Formula 21 which obliges states parties of conventional international laws to 17 Record, 25. 18 CITES, Art. 2(c). 19 See UNCAC, Art. 19. 20 See Record,. 21 See A/CN.4/630 ( Secretariat s Survey (2010) ), 91. 4

ensure that the alleged offender, who is present in their territory and is not extradited, is under custody and there is a preliminary inquiry, and the offense is considered extraditable. 22 These obligations are elements of a single conventional mechanism aimed at preventing suspects from escaping the consequences of their criminal responsibility. 23 The Hague Formula served as model for several subsequent conventions for the suppression of specific offenses, including UNTOC and UNCAC. These conventions oblige states to exercise universal jurisdiction over perpetrators of the offenses under the treaty, without making this obligation conditional on refusal to honor a prior extradition request. 25 Rincossi is a party to UNTOC and UNCAC 26 and must comply in a reasonable way and in such a reasonable manner that their purpose can be realized. 2. Rincossi is obligated to penalize traffickers under CITES and not just to confiscate the proceeds of crime. CITES requires each party to take appropriate measures to enforce the Convention, 27 both by imposing penalties 28 and by confiscating illegal specimens. 29 Within their borders, parties 22 Id., 109. 23 Supra note 1, 74-75, 78, 94. Secretariat s Survey (2010), 108; 2014 Final Report, supra note 2. 25 See Special Rapporteur Galicki in his fourth report (A/CN.4/648, 85 and fn. 56). 26 Record, 11-12. 27 See CITES, Art. VIII(I). 28 CITES, Art. VIII(I)(a). 29 CITES, Art. VIII(I)(b). 5

are required to penalize illegal traffickers and confiscate live specimens and/or products of species protected under CITES. 30 While Rincossi enacted the Rincossi Flora and Fauna Trafficking Act to protect wildlife and implement CITES, 31 its duty extends to penalizing violators of CITES 32 and not just to confiscating illegally traded specimens. 33 Rincossi s mere issuance of a written warning to Cusi and Barnum 34 falls short of its obligation to penalize violators. 3. Rincossi is obligated to conserve biodiversity under CITES and CBD by arresting or prosecuting offenders. As keystone species, elephants are important. They help increase plant biodiversity by spreading seeds 35 and benefit their ecosystems by creating gaps in heavily vegetated areas 36 which would allow plants 37 and other animals to access sunlight leading to a more diverse and productive 30 Glennon, Has International Law Failed the Elephant?, 84 Am. J. Int'l L. 1 (1990). 31 See Record, 18. 32 CITES, Art. VIII(1)(a). 33 CITES, Art. VIII(1)(b). 34 Record, 28. 35 Arthur, Poaching Cultural Property: Invoking Cultural Property Law to Protect Elephants, Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy (2014) at 231 253. 36 Western, The Ecological Role of Elephants in Africa, 12 PACHYDERM 42-43 (1989). 37 Id., at 44. 6

habitat. 38 Ecosystems would suffer greatly if elephant populations are reduced. 39 Protection of elephants leads to protection of biodiversity in general. 40 trade. 41 Extremely low level of prosecution is one of the key issues in combating illegal wildlife Most cases of ivory smuggling in Rincossi have not resulted in criminal prosecution. 42 Confiscations of illegal ivory and public destruction of several tonnes of illegal ivory 43 have turned out futile as evinced by the commission of the offense by Cusi and the twenty Barnum members, and the decrease of Thornon elephants in Aliya. 44 Rincossi s failure to arrest or prosecute contributes to the extinction of Thornon elephants as this will only embolden illegal traders of Thornon elephant ivory. 4. In any case, Rincossi cannot invoke its internal law as justification for its failure to perform its treaty obligations under UNTOC, UNCAC, CITES and CBD. 38 Van Couvering, Proboscideans, Hominids, and Prehistory, in ELEPHANT: THE ANIMAL AND ITS IVORY IN AFRICAN CULTURE 63, 70 (DORAN ed., 1992). 39 Campos-Arceiz & Blake, Megagardeners of the Forest The Role of Elephants in Seed Dispersal 37 ACTA OECOLOGICA 550 (2011). 40 International Union for Conservation of Nature, Strategy for the Conservation of West African Elephants (2005). 41 Lowther and Cook, World Wide Fund for Nature Traffic Report, University of Wolverhampton (2002). 42 See Record, 22. 43 Id. 44 Record, 2. 7

Rincossi invokes its internal law in saying it has discretion not to prosecute. 45 However, under Art. 27 of the VCLT, internal law cannot be invoked as justification for failure to perform treaty obligations. In any case, Rincossi must ensure that any discretionary legal powers under domestic law relating to the prosecution of persons for offenses covered by the convention are exercised to maximize the effectiveness of law enforcement measures with respect to those offenses and with regard to the need to deter the commission of such offenses. 46 B. RINCOSSI VIOLATED CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW. 1. Prosecution of wildlife offenses is an erga omnes inter partes norm. a. Acts of International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and of States evince state practice. Custom is sufficiently established by the practice of interested states, 47 which includes their acts relating to international organizations and national legislations. 48 The practice of prosecuting wildlife offenses is reflected in acts of states, particularly through ICCWC and domestic laws. ICCWC is an international organization formed to effectively combat transnational wildlife offenses. 49 With expressed desire to liaise together more closely, 50 it has five partner organizations 45 Record, 28. 46 UNTOC, Art. 11(2). 47 See North Sea Continental Shelf Cases, 1969, I.C.J. 48 SHAW, PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW, 82 (2008); SANDS & PEEL, PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, 112 (2012). 49 ICCWC, Strategic Plan 2014-2016 (2014). 50 Letter of Understanding, Establishing the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, CITES (2010). 8

agreeing to collaborate, namely: CITES (181 states parties), 51 INTERPOL (190), 52 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 53 The World Bank (188 member countries) 54 and The World Customs Organization (180). 55 There are now at least 87 countries that seek to prosecute international trade of endangered species. 56 All these prove uniform and consistent state practice. b. The adoption of UN General Assembly (G.A.) Resolutions, multilateral conventions and bilateral treaties against illicit trafficking of wildlife evince opinio juris. G.A. Resolutions are themselves evidence of opinio juris. 57 The 2015 UN G.A. Resolution 69/314 urges States to prosecute illicit trafficking in wildlife. 58 Such was adopted by the General 51 List of Parties in CITES, https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/index.php (last visited Nov. 2, 2015). 52 Interpol Overview, http://www.interpol.int/about-interpol/overview (last visited Oct. 31, 2015). 53 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/wildlife-and-forest-crime/iccwc.html (last visited Nov. 1, 2015). 54 The World Bank Member Countries, http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/leadership/members (last visited Nov. 3, 2015). 55 World Customs Organization, http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/wcomembers/~/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about%20us/wco%20members/list%20of%20members%20wi th%20membership%20date.ashx (last visited Nov. 1, 2015). 56 CITES, Status of Legislative Progress for Implementing CITES (2013). 57 Case Concerning Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. U.S.), I.C.J. Reports (1986) 88-91; SHAW (2008), supra note 48, at 88 58 G.A. Res. 69/314, 3, U.N. Doc. A/Res/69/314 (July 30, 2015). 9

Assembly without a vote, 59 thus, marking consensus from all states 60 in approving the resolution without objection. 61 Other UN G.A. Resolutions also call for such action. 62 2. In any case, Rincossi s refusal to arrest or prosecute offenses that affect keystone species is a violation of its erga omnes duty to protect and preserve the environment. The present generation owes a duty to future generations to have a global environment that is in no worse condition than the one they enjoy. 63 This duty is an emerging norm of customary international law. 64 It is reflected in the Principle of Trusteeship of earth resources, 65 recognized as part of customary international law and a sine qua non for human survival. 66 The obligation to respect the environment 67 has become common concerns of humanity 68 giving rise to an erga omnes obligation that may be pursued by any party. 69 3. Rincossi violated the Principle of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Use. 59 Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its 69 th session, http://research.un.org/en/docs/ga/quick/regular/69 (last visited Nov.4, 2015). 60 BOYLE & CHINKIN, THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, 157 (2007). 61 BOSCH, VOTES IN THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 95 (1998). 62 G.A. Res. 67/189*, U.N. Doc. A/Res/67/189*, 12; G.A. Res. 68/193, U.N. Doc. A/Res/68/193, 32. 63 WEISS, IN FAIRNESS TO FUTURE GENERATIONS: INTERNATIONAL LAW, COMMON PATRIMONY AND INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY (1989). 64 See Weiss, The Planetary Trust: Conservation and Intergenerational Equity, (1984) 11 Ecology L.Q. 495. 65 Hungary v Slovakia, supra note 6; See also C.G. WEERAMANTRY, NAURU: ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE UNDER INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEESHIP (1992). 66 See Nuclear Weapons Case, 502-504 (Weeramantry, J., dissenting). 67 Nuclear Weapons Case, 226. 68 See Shelton, Common Concern of Humanity, The George Washington University Law School 33-40 (2009). 69 Id. 10

Sustainable Development Principle provides for close interdependence between the policy goals of development and environmental protection 70 constituting an integral part of the development process and which cannot be considered in isolation from it. 71 In North Sea Continental Shelf Cases, 72 this was regarded as already adopted by States 73 in their domestic practices and a reflection of state practice 74, creating a customary norm. Some of the most highly qualified publicists 75 regard sustainable development as customary international law. Sustainable Use mandates that the use of components of biological diversity be in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity. 76 It is a special emanation of Sustainable Development. 70 BEYERLIN AND MARAUHN, INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, 76 (2011). 71 1992 Rio Declaration, Principle 4. 72 Supra, note 47 73 See Marong, From Rio to Johannesburg: Reflections on the Role of International Legal Norms in Sustainable Development, 16 Geo. Int'l Envtl. L. Rev. 21 (2003). 74 Aggarin, Principle of Sustainable Development in International Environmental Law (2012), available at http://www.ecolex.org/server2neu.php/libcat/restricted/li/mon-086900.pdf. 75 See Hungary v. Slovakia, separate opinion of Judge Weeramantry; See also Lowe, Sustainable Development and Unsustainable Arguments, in INTERNATIONAL LAW AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES (1999); Magraw and Hawke, Sustainable Development, in THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW 613, 6(2010). 76 CBD, Art. 2. 11

This has been integrated in interstate practices as revealed by a large number of international environmental agreements in all levels, 77 showing that the duty to sustainably use natural resources has gained the status of a universal customary rule. 78 Rincossi is a rapidly developing country with manufacturing and consumerism as some of its drivers for economic growth. It is extensively involved in international trade, 79 and has a legal ivory market. 80 Rincossi is obliged not to compromise nor destroy the environment of another state if it wants to continue the trading of ivory products as an economic driver. II. RINCOSSI VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL LAW BY REFUSING TO RETURN THE CONFISCATED THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY. Cultural property constitutes one of the basic elements of national culture. 81 It is the intimate and irreplaceable expression of a nation s moral and spiritual character, 82 and states should protect what they consider essential to them. 83 Illicit trafficking of cultural property is the second most profitable underground market, 77 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Jan. 29, 2000, 2226 U.N.T.S. 208, Article 1; See also African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Sept. 15, 1968, 1001 U.N.T.S. 4, Preamble; See also Revised African Nature Convention, Article II. 78 Supra note 70, at 82. 79 Record, 4. 80 Record, 18. 81 See UNESCO 1970, Preamble. 82 Graham, Protection and Reversion and Cultural Property: Issues of Definition and Justification, 21 Int l Law, 755 (1987). 83 Prott, The International Movement of Cultural Objects, International Journal of Cultural Property 225-8 (2005). 12

second only to illegal drug trafficking. 84 International law said little about the issue until late 1960s, when looting and international smuggling reached a critical level of visibility and transnational discourse. 85 This opened the dialogue on effective and appropriate means to protect and preserve cultural property. 86 A product of this dialogue is the trend in international law to repatriate cultural property to the source nation. 87 Aliya will establish that Thornon elephant ivory is Aliya s cultural property [A] and Rincossi s refusal to repatriate the confiscated ivory violates international law [B]. A. THORNON ELEPHANT IVORY IS ALIYA S CULTURAL PROPERTY. 1. Thornon elephant ivory is cultural property under the UNESCO 1970. a. Aliya has the authority to determine what it considers cultural property Defining cultural property cannot be done without reference to one s culture. 88 One must 84 Charter of Courmayeur, June 25-27, 1992, http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/multimedia/hq/clt/pdf/charter_courmayeur_en.pdf, (last visited: November 1, 2015); Warring, Underground Debates: The Fundamental Differences of Opinion to Thwart UNESCO S Progress in Fighting the Illicit Trade in Cultural Property, 19 Emory Int l L. Rev. 227 (2005). 85 Nafziger, SYMPOSIUM: ANTIQUITIES LAW: The Principles for Cooperation in the Mutual Protection and Transfer of Cultural material, 8 Chi. J. Int l L. 147 (2007). 86 See Bator, An Essay on the International Trade in Art, 34 Stan. L. Rev. 275 (1982). 87 Riding, REPATRIATION SYMPOSIUM: Introduction: Human Rights and the American Indian Movement: A Manifesto, 44 Ariz. St. L.J. 613 (2012); Merryman, Two Ways Of Thinking About Cultural Property, The American Journal Of International Law, Vol. 80, No. 4, 831-53 (1986); Mastalir, A Proposal for Protecting the Cultural and Property Aspects of Cultural Property Under International Law, 16 Fordham Int l L.J. 1033 (1993). 88 Ibid Mastalir (1993). 13

balance the cultural significance of the object with its property aspect, 89 lest cultural property be placed in the same footing as any other property or reduced to a mere object. Cultural property is property which has a special cultural significance to a nation, being intertwined with the very identity of the group claiming it, 90 serving as basis for cultural memory, 91 and reflecting the history of lost civilizations. 92 Being personal to a particular group, no universal definition can embrace it. 93 Hence, UNESCO 1970 has ultimately left it to states to designate items as cultural property 94 because they are the only entities competent to do so. 95 i. Aliya has declared the Thornon elephant ivory as cultural property and therefore passed the first requirement under UNESCO 1970. UNESCO 1970 provides a two-tier test for an item to be considered cultural property, the first requires a positive act from the state to specifically designate the item as property of prehistorical, historical, literary, artistic or scientific significance. 96 In 1990, Aliya enacted a law recognizing the historical and scientific importance of the 89 Ibid, at 1039. 90 Cohan, An Examination of Archaelogical Ethics and the Repatriation Movement Respecting Culural Property (Part Two), 28 Environs Envt l. L. & Pol y J. 1 (2004). 91 Merryman, The Public Interest in Cultural Property, 77 Calif. L. Rev. 339 (1989). 92 Chimento, Comment: Lost Artifacts of the Incas: Cultural Property and the Repatriation Movement, 54 Loy. L. Rev. 209 (2008). 93 Supra note 91. 94 UNESCO 1970; see WILLIAMS, THE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PROTECION OF MOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY, 2-229 (1978); Detling, Eternal Silence: The Destruction of Cultural Property in Yugoslavia, 17 Md. J. Int l L. 41 (1993). 95 Mastalir (1993), supra note 87. 96 See UNESCO 1970, Art. I. 14

Thornon elephants, their parts and their derivatives, 97 recognizing their pivotal role in Aliyan folklore, mythology, art, architecture, and religion. 98 Similar to the African elephant, 99 Thornon elephant plays a crucial role in Aliyan agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental homeostasis. 100 It is Aliya s national animal and is prominently featured on the Aliyan national flag and currency. 101 These show the symbolic significance 102 of the Thornon elephant to Aliyans, and manifest its importance to Aliyan identity. 103 Ivory, as part of the anatomy of the Thornon elephant, is covered by the declaration since Aliyan law speaks of parts and derivatives of the Thornon elephant. Aliya considers the ivory of the Thornon elephant its cultural property. ii. Thornon elephant ivory is covered by Art. 1(a) of UNESCO 1970 on rare collections of specimens of fauna and their anatomy. UNESCO 1970 provides general categories to which the items must belong. Thornon elephant ivory falls within Art. 1(a). Category A provides that rare collections and specimens of 97 Record, 15. 98 Id. 99 Record, 2. 100 Record, 15. 101 Record, Annex B. 102 Tsavo Media Canada, Inc., Introduction to Flags, http://www.worldflags101.com/ (last visited: Oct. 31, 2015.). 103 Agarunov, The Art of Currency: Unique Notes from Around the World, http://design.tutsplus.com/articles/the-artof-currency-unique-notes-from-around-the-world--psd-11311 (2010) (last visited: Oct. 31, 2015). 15